Automatic eeclosing circuit breaker



Aug. 5, 1952 w. D'. KYLE, JR., er1-A1. Re- 23,532

' AUTOMATIC nEcLosNc CIRQUIT BREAKER 5 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Jupe 6, 1941 g ATTORNEY w. D. KYLE, JR., ETAL Re. 23,532

AUTOMATIC REcLosING CIRCUIT BREAKER Aug. 5,1952

Original Filed June 6, 1941` 5 Sl'leeLs-Sl'xeel 2 117/774 La la@ 64 Q .59 4 Z5 65 0 O A( .2T O 66 i6 @n ,jZ

` I 43 O l0 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 5,v 1952 w. DKY| E, JR., ETAL Re 23,532

AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER v Original Filed June 6, 1941 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 aad@ ATTORNEY.

AUS- 5, 1952 w. D. KYLE, JR., ET-AL Re. 23,532

AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER Original Filed June 6, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV ENT ORS ll//Zl/M D. KYLE di?. WPA SCH/NULBQ ATTORNE Y.

` A118 5, 1952 4 w. D.,KYl x-:, JR., Erm. Re. 23,532

AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER Original Filed June 6, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 L l I s y f8 .l i .Z3 @ai 54,

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Re. .z3-,532.

'23,532 I Au'romrrc arcnosmc cmcnrr enema william D'. Kyle, n., Milwaukee, and om semila- A ler. Wauwatosa, Wis., assignors to McGraw vElectric Company, a corporation ot Delaware oramai No.'z;471,o67, dans Ju'iyzs, 1949, serial No. 396.850,'Junc 6, 1941.

Application for rcissue November 19, 1951, serial Nq. 257,056

.13 claims. (ci. zoo-89) Matter enclosed heavy brackets appears inthe original patent but forms no part of this reissue speciilcation: matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to automatic reclcsing circuit .'breakers.

' Objects-of this invention are to provide an automatic reclosing circuit breaker in which a iull'y automatic reclosing circuit breaker ispro- 5 Further objects are to providev an automatic vided which automatically opens upon anelecreclosing circuit breaker which not only may be trical overload and, automatically closes after a opened by an electrical overload or manuallyfbut predetermined interval. and which is so con. alsowhich is so constructed that it will be opened structed that ir this opening and reclosing operaupon the heating beyond .a predetermined temtion occurs a predetermined number oi' times 10 -perature of the oil in which the circuit breaker in rapid succession, the circuit breaker -will autois immersed so that when an overload occurs matically lock itself inv open positiomand in which would'heat'the circuit breaker but of a -which ii' the opening and reclosing operations value insuillcientto cause operation ofthe circuit occur less 'than the predetermined number of breaker,- there. can be no danger of the burning times. the tripping mechanismwill automatically out of the circuit breaker. but in which autoreset itself so that the full predetermined-nummatic openingoccurs upon a rise in temperature ber of operations in rapid successionwill be reor thejoiibeyond a predeterminedgvalue. quired for any subsequently occurring fault; Further objectsare to providelf-fan automatic Further objects of this invention are to provide l reclosing circuit breaker inwhich itis vnot necesan automatic reclosing circuit breaker in which saryto use an insulating housing lbut in which a the locko'ut mechanism is so arranged as to metal can or housing is provided :which is compermanently bias the cir'cuitbreaker in open pletedby a metal cap, all exposed'parts of the position when the lockout mechanism operates. apparatus beingv electrically dead at all times which is not dependent upon any pawl. ratchet, except for two terminal'members which are car- .or other type of latchl which might jar loose if ried' by the cap and project from the upper side the circuit breaker were subjectedto .vibration oi the cap, the can being tree from any holes' or Or'jarring. or which, -when defective for any apertures or bushings therethrough land -being cause. would allow the circuit breaker to drop open only at the top to thereby guard against loss closed. but instead in'which the circuit breaker oi oil. y when locked out is biased towards open position Further objects are to provide a reclosing cir- A and remains in open position irrespective of any cuit breaker in which all parts of the circuit jarring or other disturbance-that might'occun breaker are carried from a top metal cap, vthe thereby providing a high vfactor of-saiety. metal cap being clamped to a metal can contain- Further objects are to provideA an automatic ing oil, the construction being such that the cirrepeating circuit breaker in'whieh manual means 35 cuit breaker. mayA be lifted from the cam-if de- 'are provided for tripping thecircuitv breaker sired, for inspection or repair without removing upon manual operation and for resetting the cirthe can from its mounting. thus facilitating pecuit breaker after it has been-locked out, iwhich rio'dic inspection or repair without the necessity this manual resetting means is so made that the oi' removing the can from the polel or other supcircuit breaker can operate independently ci' o port upon which it may-be mounted, the metal such manual resetting means 'if .the fault still can itself also providing for rapid heat dissipapersists while-the circuit breaker is being' manution. I ally reset. to'thereby guard againstany severe Further objects are to provide an automatic mechanical 'blows or shocks being imparted lto reclosing circuit breaker whicheannot be manuthe `operator when he is resetting the, circuit ally held in -closed position against anl electrical breakin'- c 'overload which lhas a quick break and a quick I Further objects are to provide a circuit. breaker make no matter in what manner it -may be operin which themanual resettingmecha'nism does ated, whether by electrical overload. manually not operate for each opening of the ircuit or by the heating of the oil, and in which the breaker; but operates only once, movingjto the rapidly moving parts of the circuit breaker are position indicating lock-out'- when the lock-out hydralilically` cushioned. occurs. in which the manual reset means isnot Further objects are to provide van automatic movedto lockout position by any blow-struck reclosing circuit breaker which when itcloses by the actuating mechanism of the circuit. always comes back to a definite predetermined breaker. butin .which it is' moved ou @Tilly by a position irrespective ofthe number of operations force of a predetermined value my 5 @tendency of any violent motion that the circuit breaker 4may be executing. and in which this manualresetting-gmeans and manual opening means is electrically dead at all timeasl -or the wear of the parts'. vwhich has s, wipingV ac- -that 4it has operated.

lline 1-1 ot Figure`2.

tion of the contacts thereby maintaining good electrical contact without a gradual increase in resistance due to oxidation from arcing'. in which independent radially renewable arcing contacts are provided which receive the tlnal arc and thus avoid any injury to the main contacts, the construction being such that the circuit breaker will always operate at its predetermined overload value irrespective of the length of time it may have been in operation or the number of times Further objects are to provide an automatic reclosing circuit breaker which does not employ any fragile or delicate parts such as a ratchet or clockwork mechanism to obtain the time delay but which utilizes the 'oil in which-the circuit breaker is immersed. hydraulic time delay means being provided and also hydraulic means being provided for tripping the means for locking the circuit breaker in open position after a predetermined number of operationswhen such operations occur in rapid succession, and in which the construction is such thatjeven if the oil level becomes -excessivelyl'low. the lock-out mechanism will function due to the sudden evolution of gas or excessive .heating of the remaining oil to thereby lock the circuit breaker in open position under such abnormal condition.

Further objects of this invention are to provide an automatic circuit breaker which .will take 4 Figure 12 is a sectional view on the slanting section line I2-I2 or Figure 4.-

Figure 13 is. a fra "entary sectional vi'ew on the line I 3-I3 of Figure 3.

Figure 14 is a sectional view on the line Il lli of Figure 2.

Figure '15 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit arrangement and the protective gaps.

Figure 16 is a view corresponding to Figure 7, showing a further form of the invention.

Figure 1'1 shows a further form of insulating -spacer plates.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit for the form of invention shown in Fig-- wardly extending portion is adapted to rest upon the upper face of the ears l, a suitable lug 1 being provided on each of -the ears to prevent the operate from this sudden evolution ot gas and will lock the circuit breaker open.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings,l in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the automatic repeating circuit breaker.

Figure 2 is 'anenlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, such view also'corresponding to a section on the line 1 1! of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line S--B oi Figure 2. 1

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the lineL-IofFigure`3.- W

Figure 5 is a view on the top Plate and associated parts with the upper--portion of the apparatus sectioned ott.

Figure 6 is a sectional detail -oi the thermostatic trippingl means, rsuch view being taken on the section line 6 8 of Figure is a fragmentary sectional view on the Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8--8l of FI 7 Figure 9 is a sectional view on the' line 9-9 of Figure 7, such view showing the movable contact in section.

. Figure 10'is a sectional detail of the time delay means.- Figure 11 is a detail showing thejmanuai trip and'reset-mechanism. l v y an arc extinguishing gas.

clamping plate i from sliding oit the upper surface of the vears 4. A suitable sealing gasket is positioned between the' anged upper end of the can and the annular recessed portion of the cover 2.' as sho'wn most clearly in Figure 2.

Any suitable attaching means as indicated at 8 and B are provided on the can lso that theV can may be .attached to a pole or other suitable support.

The cap or cover 2 is provided with a line and load terminal indicated respectively at I0 and Ilyand these terminals are carried by insulating bushings I2, I2.

Normally'thecan I is grounded as shown in the diagrammatic view Figure l5. It is preferable to provide two gaps, one between the line and load terminals Ill and II and the other between load terminal II and the grounded can I. For example, the electrodes or rods I3 may extend towards each other and may be spaced apart the desired distance to provide a gap for a lightning discharge.

One of the electrodes I3 vprojects into a ber tube Il which has an open end -spaced from the other electrode so thatit acts 4to snui out or blow out any are that may be formed vbetween the electrodes. such arc passing through the tube and the ber or other suitable material evolving The other'gap is formed between the electrode I5 carried by the load terminal II and an electrode I6 projecting upwardly from the top 2. The electrode I5 extends into a fiber tube I1 'so as to provide an arc extinguishing means. It

is to be noted that the gap between the electrodes v I5 and I6 is smaller than the gap' between the electrodes I3 so that a lightning discharge will ilnd an immediate path to the ground.- The construction is such that there will be substantially no follow-through current as the arc will be extinguished at one or the other gaps practically instantaneously.

The automatic reclosing circuit breaker is suspended in its entirety -from the metal cover 2. For example, the metal cover may be provided with apluraiity of downwardly extending cuit breaker is closed. i

insulating posts I 8 which are secured at their upper ends tothe metal coverand which have internally threaded lower portions into which elongated attaching screwsi pass. These attaching screws hold the upper metal plate 2l andthe lower metal plate 2| and the lower insulating annular block or collar 22 in place. the metal plates and 2| being spaced apart by suitable spacers 23 which may be insulating tubes ii'so desired. The electromagnetic coil or solenoid 24 is positioned betweenl the plates, suitable insulating end pieces being provided, jas shown in Figure 2. Centrally of the coil an insulating sleeve or tube 25 is provided.- y

A non-magnetic operating rod 2| tor the circuit breaker-'extends upwardly centrally of the insulating tube 2t' and on this rod a plunger 21 formed o! magnetic material is freelyslidable. This plunger 21 or armature is provided with an enlarged orshouldered lower portion 28 which acts as a piston when passing within the cylindrical chamber 28 formed in the collaror block 22 for a purpose hereinafter to appear.

The operating rod 26 of the circuit breaker rigidlycarries a spiderlikestop 3l which loosely fits within the sleeve 25 and which serves as an magnetic plunger 21 strikes when the coil 24 is energized by an overload current.'- When this occurs, the plunger 21 is suddenly drawn up? wardly into thecoll and strikes the abutment 30, carryingthe rod 2G upwardly.

The lower end of the rod 2B is rigidly secured to an insulating cross-head li, see Figure 7. The cross-head Il carries a pair of contact rods 32 to which are rigidly attacheda pair of contact sleeves Il. see Figures .7 .and -9. The contact sleeves 3l normally engage the stationary contact pins Il. These l'ltationary.'contacts or contact pins $4 are connectedto the line and load terminals i0 and il hereinbefore described.

Vabutment against which the upper end of .the

`lit is to be noted particularly with reference pins 2,4 constitute stops against which the lower ends of the-contact rods l2 abut when the Acir- It is preferable to make the contact pins or stationary contacts 34 split as shown in Figure 9 and to have the movable contacts or sleeves Il engage the pins It with a wiping motion to insure a clean contact at all times. lfihe arcingV upon segregation of' the movabieand stationary contacts does not occur between the sleeves I3 and the pins ll but separatel arcing contacts are provided in the form oi' conducting rollers I5 which may be ot metal and which are carried by leaf springs 30 clamped in place' as shown in Figure 9. These areing contacts 35 are the last members that engage the movable contacts I3.- All arcing occurs between-the arcing' contacts I5 and the outer surfaces oi the sleeves, thus maintaining the inner surfaces of the sleeves and the outer surfaces of the pins 34 in good condition free from 4pitting although the circuit breaker may have operated a great number of times.

The areing contacts are readily renewable and it is also easy to renew the sleeves .if this becomesnecessary; by driving out the locking pin or other suitable securing means '18.' see Figure 9, and replacing the old sleeve i3 with 'a new sleeve. This very rarely happens,'however', for

. theareingfoccurs, as stated, betweenjhe'outer surfaces of the sleeves I8 and the arcing contacts I5.

It is to be noted particularly that the upper ends oi' the stationary contacts or pins I4 form a definite stop for arresting the downward motion ot the movable portions of the circuit breaker and consequently the circuit breaker, together with the magnetic core or plunger 21, see Figures 2 and 7, will always come to rest at exactly the same point so that the-circuit'breaker will always respond to the same current.

If. von the other hand, the' active contact had been a butt contact and the arcing had occurred between the vbutt contact, there would be a gradual wearing away of this contact through continued use of the circuit breaker and consequently the circuit breaker would operate only vat an increased current 4as the time of service increased. f y

However, in the invention herein described, the circuit breaker will always respond at exactly the same predetermined value of overload current.

For wide adjustments in current at which the circuit breaker will respond, coils 2l of diiierent numberI of turns are employed but for ordinary adjustments'vthro'ugh a comparatively extensive range the same coil can begused.- The adjustment is obtained by screwing the adjusting nut l1, see Figure 2, upwardly and thereafter locking it by the lock nut IB. This adjustment moves the plunger 21 upwardly the' desired distance so thatthe upper end of the plunger comes to rest at a higher pOint within thej coil 24 and conse quently` so that a lesser current is required to cause operation of the circuit breaker. In the position of adjustment shown in Figure 2, the circuit breaker has been set to respond to the maximum'current for the particular coil 2L The contact rods I2 are connected by .flexible leaders with opposite ends of the coil 24 so that thecoil .24, as may be seen from Figure l5, l

is in series between the line-and load terminals ill and `il' and directly acros's themovable contacts II.

Referring to Figures `2 and-3, it will be seen that a rock shaft 40 extends transversely of the cover or cap 2. A rocking sleeve Il is loosely mounted on this rockshaft and is provided with a relatively long arm 42' and a relatively shorter arm Il which constitute, together with the sleeve 4|. a unitary member freely rockable upon the shaft III. The relatively long arm I2 ls connected by means of a pair'of insulating links 44 with the upper end of the operating rod 2G of the circuit breaker. as shown mostclearly in Figure 2. Thus when the circuit'breaker is driven'to open position upon the occurrence of anA overload, the arm 4i.A and the arm I! are rocked upwardly. The. arm 4l is connected by means of insulating links 45 with a plunger I8, whichis normally positioned within the relatively large' portion 41 of the bore of a cylinder ever, as the circuit breaker. approaches closed position, the plunger 48 .rides out oi the constricted passage v49 into the larger'passage'" of the cylinder 48 and the circuit breaker completes its closing stroke with a quick motion.

It ls of course obvious that a small passage could be provided beneath ,the piston 48 through the wall of the cylinder or else through the piston itself to provide for the escape of oil or, as stated hereinabove, the oil may leak aroundA between the. piston and thecylinder. Thus a -predetermined time delay is 'imposedupon thecircuit breaker after it has opened to, thereby provide an interval of time before it will close so that if the fault is only a temporary i'ault, the circuit breaker will stay closed after it has-once opened. Ii -the fault persists, it is obvious that the' cir- .cuit breaker -will again make a quick opening stroke and will also be retarded on its closing stroke.

It is desirable to provide means `for permanently locking. the circuit breaker in open position after a predetermined number ot rapidly succeeding operations.v This is readily accomplishedl by providing a tripping means actuated by oil pumped by the circuit -breakerupon operation. As shown in Figure 2, the collar or head 22 is provided with a cylinder like aperture 29 within which the` piston or enlarged shouldered portion 28 of the plunger 21 passes during the completion of the upward stroke of the plunger. This also provides a hydraulic cushion for the plunger and-thus materially reduces wear. The oil from the chamber 29 passes through a port 52- past a checkvalve 53 into the lower end ot'the cylinder 84, see Figure 2.

A piston 55 is positioned within this cylinder and is moved up a predetermined distance on -each opening 4stroke oi the plunger 2l. The

check valve seats andprevenis the return of the oil from the bottom of the cylinder. The piston or head 28 of'the plunger 2l freely passes from the cylinder 29 as a relief check valve 5 is provided to allow oil to pass back into the cylinder 2B above the piston 28.

1t is obviousthat after a certain number of operations, the piston 55 of the tripping device will move upwardly a 'suillcient'distance to project the pin 51 carried thereby through' an opening 5BA vin the top plate Il) and against thetrip latch 59. vthereby raising the trip latch. .This

that the circuit breaker is to lock open after three operations in quick succession, it obviously is not-desirable for the circuit breaker to lock open after -two operations occurring in quick succession and a third operation occurring at a very much later time. This result is accomplished by providing an adjustable-leak from the cylinder 54 at a point beneath thel piston 55. As shown in Figure 14, which is an enlarged view of the lower portion of the cylinderrii, itjwill be seen -that a leak passage 60 has been 4povidedwhich -is adjustable by means of a needle valve BI to thereby determine the rate at which the leak will occur. II, i'or example. less than the predetermined number oifquickly succeedingl operations has occurred. the piston 55 will. settle downwardly as the oil flows through the leak passage and will nnally come to rest at the bottom part of its stroke. as shown in Figure 2', thereby resetting the tripping mechanism to its initial position.

'I'his feature is of particular importance for if the circuit breaker performs one or two operations and the fault clears, the circuit breaker still will have its full number of times for a sequential rapid operation in the event any subsequent fault occurs.

Returning to the latching and tripping mechaism vwith particular reference to Figures 2 and 4,

'it will be seen that the latching lever is provided with a latching portion G2 beneath which a latch ing plate 63 is normally held, the latching plate 63 being o f metal and being carried by an insulatwill be' seen that the latch lever 64 is 'permanently biased towards its uppermost position which will be shown as the description proceeds to be the lock-out position i'or the circuit breaker.

Thelever 65, as will be seen from Figures 2 and 3, is provided with a head or pin GS positioned directly beneath the lever-'42. which latter lever is attachedby means of the links 44 with the operating rod 26 of the circuit breaker. Therefore it is apparent that when the trip latch 59 is released, that the circuit breaker will be locked open as the spring 6B will cause the lever G5 with the projection 69 to rock in a counterclockwise direction, see Figure 2, and thus hold the circuit breaker locked open. The'circuit breaker will thus be permanently biased towards open position when it is locked out and will not be dependent upon any pawl or any other type of latch of this order which might jar loose and allow the circuit breaker `to drop to closed position.

.This contingency is avoided by providing the mechanism hereinabove described which permanently biases the circuit breakertowards open position when the circuit breaker is locked open so that there is no tendency of the circuit breaker to close under these vconditions although it may be subjected to vibration or jarring.

It sometimes happens that sufilcient current is passed through the coil 24 to abnormally heat the coli with consequent damage to the apparatus without causing operation of the circuit breaker. This is prevented by providing thermal means responsive to the temperature of the oil within the tank l for operating the trip latch 59. As may be seen from reference to Figures 3, 5 and 6, a bimetallic f olded strip 10 is carried by the upper plate 20 and has its free end positioned beneath the trip latch 59 so that when the bimetallic strip 'i0 opens up as the oil becomes abnormally heated. it will raise the trip latch 59 and release the trip lever 64, thereby causing a. quick opening of the circuit breaker under the iniluence of the'spring 88 and lock-out of the circuiti-breaker.

Manual means are also provided for opening the circuit breaker witha quick opening stroke. The manual operating means consists cian eyeleted lever 1I, see Figures 3 and il, which is positioned within a-hood 12 integral with the cap 2.

The hood is open at its lower side and is provided with a cut out portion 'I8 so that the'hook.

oi' a switch stick may be inserted in the eye of the lever 1| and the lever may be drawn downwardly to cause a quick opening of the circuit breaker in a manner hereinafter to appear. or to move the lever upwardlyback to theV position shown in Figure l1 to reset the circuit breaker.

The lever li is rigidly attached to the shaft I 40 and the'shaft 40 rigidly carries a reset lever be imparted to the operator. The only force opposing the resetting is the spring 88 and the force due to the opening strokeof the circuit breaker is not imparted to the resetting and manual release lever 1 I. l

Another feature to be noted is that in the event the circuit breaker is closed and it is desired to manually open it, no matter how slowly the operator pulls downwardly .on the lever 1| by means of a switch stick. for instance. as soon as the latch lever i4, see Figure 2, is withdrawn from the latch member 5 9, the circuit breaker will execute a quick opening stroke due to the action of the spring 88 hereinbefore described. i

Thus the circuit breaker always has a Vquick opening stroke no matter whether it is released manually. thermally. or by electrical overload. It also has a quick closing stroke after a certain interval provided by the time delay mechanism as the ilnal closing stroke of4 the circuit breaker is unimpeded as hereinabove described.

It is preferable to encase the lower portion of the circuit breaker, that is 4to say, the stationary -wards the left as viewed .in Figure 4. andthus withdraws the latch plate 88 -from the .latchportion 62 of the latch levez-88. The spring 6.8 is now iree to act andcauses a quick counterclockwise stroke of the lever' 65 whose pin or proiectlng portion 88 strikes the lever 42 and opens the circuit breaker. with a quick opening stroke. The -circuit breaker will now be permanently locked lopen until it-is manually reset.

The resetting ls accomplished through the medium of thelever 1I, the shaft 40 and the reset lever 14, see Figures 3, 12 and 13. The reset lever 14 is positioned above a pin or projection 18 rigid vwith-the latching lever, as shown most clearly in Figure 12, the projection 18 being shown in dotted lines in Figure 3.v It is clearl that whenthe lever 1l is rocked in a clockwise direction back to its position shown in Figure 1l, that the reset lever 14 will engage the pin 16 and will force the latching lever 64 downwardly against the action of the spring 88 to its normal position as shown in Figure 2,'thus resetting the circuit breaker. The -circuit breaker will thereafter close after .a suitable interval determined by the time delay mechanism shown in Figure 10 and hereinabove described.

It is to be noted that a relatively light spring -11 is secured to the reset leverl"I4 and to a pin 18 carriedby the lever 81.. The spring 11 is relatively lightas compared tothe spring 8 8 and serves merely to hold the lever 1i, see Figures 3 and 1l. in its uppermost position untilthe lever Il has been 'rocked downwardly when the A'circuit breaker is locked out.

It is to -be noted that the'lever 1i does not move downwardly for each operation of the circuit breaker but only moves downwardly when the lock-out mechanism functions or when the lever 1I manually pulled downwardly for -manual operation of the circuit breaker.

It -is Ato be noted particularly that in the ref setting operation, the lineman o r operator is never subjected toany violent shock even though the 'fault mayl still persist when the circuit breaker 'is reset. When the circuit, breaker is reset and the fault still persists, the circuit breaker will instantly move to lull open position but nevertheless the' lever 42, see Figure 2,' will move upwardly'away-trom the projetnz'io'n 68 'ot A- ne lever ss and consequently no blow. or :er win 22 and the lower end'of the sleeve 19 is closed by means of the base member 80. This base member is provided with an oil inlet aperture 8|, see Figure 2. which is normally closed by a downwardly seating nap valve 82.

As .will be 'seen from' Figure?. the insulating base member 88 is'suspended by'means of the insulating rods .83. TheseV rods extend upwardly to the portion 22 and are internally threaded at their upper and lower ends to receive bolts to thereby lock therods in place-anclfto the base 8U. The. insulating sleeve or shell 18 is therefore clamped between the' insulatingl head or collar 22 and the insulating base 80.

- It 'is preferable to provide insulating partitions extending upwardlyv between the spaced contacts. These partitions may take the'form I of two members 84 of insulating material which.

.may approach each other or be in -contact at their upper ends. Vas shown in Figure 17.

By having the base or foot portions 85 of the members 84 integralwith the.' vertical portions thereof. it is apparent that any conducting sediment that may settle downwardly between the stationary contacts will not form a 4bridge path from one contact to the other.. Further, in view of the fact that the members 84 and 85 are integral, it vis apparent that no conducting sediment can form and lead up to a short gap across which the arc would strike.

By having the lower portion or active contacts or the circuit vbreaker enclosed by the sleeve 19 and base portion 88 and upper collar or member 22, see Figure 2, it is apparent that under violent overload where a considerable amount of gas is generated, that the tripping plunger 55 will be driven to its uppermost position and will trip the lock-out mechanism and thereby lock the circuitv -breaker in open position so that a succeeding violent-action of the circuit breaker will not be permitted even ii Athe faultv persists.

" followed by quick reclosing of the circuit breaker without having the circuit breaker execute a complete opening stroke. Itis obvious that the repeated breaking will result in the generationv oi' gas and the .gas so generated will force oil into the 'cylinder' il, thereby driving the tripping plunger 55 upwardly, thus tripping the lockout mechanism. f i

In the form or the invention shown in Figure 16, the circuit breaker diners from that previously described in that a metal crosshead 86 is provided and is lrigid with the movable'contacts 32.

` In this form ot the invention there is no necessity of having the nexible leads I9. as shown i'nFigure '1. Instead one ot the stationary contacts 24 is connected to the line terminal.' l0 and the other stationary contact 34 is connected to. one end of the electromagnetic 'coil 24. the other end of such coil being connectedv to the load terminal l I. 4as shown in Figure 18. T'he same saiety gaps'are provided in Figurel as described in connection ywith Figure 15;'

In Figure 16 a different form o1 insulating bafile has been illustrated.v These baffles have the same shape as those previously described and consist ofthe vertical portions 81 and the horizontal' foot portions 8 8, 4but vthese ballles are spaced .apart to allow an oil space between the bailles. Obviously this form of baille could be used with Figure '1 or the form shown in Figure 7 vcould be used with theriorm shown in Figure 16.

The bailles may also take another iorm and may be used' with either form o: the device. As shown in Figure 17, the uprightportionsofthe bail'les are indicated at 89 and the horizontal portionsl at 80.' The'upstanding portions '89 may engage each other at the upper end but are spaced apartat their lower end to provide an oil space. Itis to be noted'also that in a-surge condition with a steep wave front the impedance ot the coil 2,4 in the i'orm shown in FigurelS will cause relatively high difference ot potentialto exist between the movable contacts 3.3. whereas in the form of the invention shown in Figure 1 8 the imresponsive to a number of successive operations of said circuit breaker occurring in rapid succession for rendering said lock-out means eiiective.

2. An automatic reclosing circuit breaker comprising a pair of contacts. means responsive to an electrical overload for separating said contacts, normally inactive lock-out means tor mechanically locking said circuit breaker in open position, and means including hydraulic means having a cumulative action responsive to a number or successive operationsot said circuit breaker occurring in rapid successiongior moving said lock-out'mean's to lock-out position, said means responsive to an electrical overload normally separating' said contacts independently of any operation of saidV lock-out means.

3.' An automatic reclosing circuit breaker comprising apair of contacts, electromagnetic means responsive'to an electrical overload for separating said contacts, said contacts being normally biased towards closed position, lock-'out means biased towards lockout position for locking said circuit breaker in open position, latch means for restraining said lock-out means. cumulative hydraulic means responsive to a number of successive operations of said circuit breaker occur- 'ring in rapid succession for releasing said latch means, pumping means actuated by said circuit breaker for pumping fluid into said cumulative hydraulic means.. and manual means movable in Vone direction for opening 'said circuit breaker and biased towards lock-out position for locking said pedance of the coil-24 does not produce a high" voltage diil'erenoe between themvable contacts Il as these contacts are directly connected by the metal crosshead .8.6.

V All of the desirable -ieatures heretofore outlined in connection with the rst iorn'i of the invention are obviously obtained by the second form ofthe invention aswell.. The construction ot the device shown. in Figure 17, except for the 4embodiedand is to be interpreted acclaimed.

We`claim: 1. An automatic reclosin'g circuit breaker comcircuit breaker in open position, latch means for restraining said lock-out means. said circuit breaker being oil immersed, cumulative hydraulic biased towards lock-out position for opening said circuit breaker fand holding said vcircuitbreaker in open position. latch means for restraining said lock-out means. said circuit breaker being oil immersed. cumulative hydraulic means responsive to a number of successive operations or said circuit breaker occurring in rapid succession for releasing said latch means. pumping meansactuated by said circuit breaker for pumping fluid into said cumulative hydraulic means, manual means movable in one direction forA resetting said lock-out means and movable in the other direction for releasing'sa'id latch means,and means responsive to the temperature of said oil for releasing said latch means. v

6. An automatic reclosing circuit breaker comprising a pair of contacts, electromagnetic means responsive to an electrical overload for'separating 'said contacts, said contacts beingnormally' 14 said contacts being biased closed to automatically close the circuit after a clrcutinterruptll operation, an actuating member adapted tobe advanced a predetermined amount during each separation and reclosure cycle ot -said contacts and to slowly return to a normal position, means positioned to be engaged anddctuated by member in response to predetermined advancement thereof for preventing reclosure oi said contacts, manually-operable means movable from one 9051121011 to another for causing separation r of said contacts, said manually operablejmeans biased -towards closed position, lock-out means biased towards 'lock-out position for opening said circuit breaker and holding said circuit breaker in open position, latch means for restraining said lock-out` means, said circuit breaker being oil immersed, cumulative hydraulic means responsive to a number of successive operations of said circuit breaker occurring in rapid succession for .releasing said latch meana'pum'ping means actuated by said circuit breaker -f or pumping fluid into said cumulative-hydraulic means ,andcasing means surrounding said contacts, said cumulative hydraulic means being also responsive to pressure 'generated within said casing means whereby said cumulative hydraulic means will respond to pressure caused by the generation of gas within said casing means in addition to the. response from the pumping of iiuidf into said' cumulative hydraulic means.

'7. An automatic recloslng circuit breaker cornprising a pair of contacts, means responsive to an electrical overload for separating 'said con-- tacts, normally inactive lock-out means for me- I.chanicallv locking said circuit breaker in o'pen position, saidcircuit breakerhaving a pumping action, and means including hydraulic means having a cumulative action responsive to B. number of successive operations' of said circuit breaker occurringin rapid succession for moving said lock-out means Ato lock-out position,v said last mentioned means being alsoresponsive toabnormal gas pressure produced by opening-the circuit under excessive load.

8. In a circuit interrupter,sepa rable contacts,

electromagnetic means for instantaneously separating said contacts in 4response to a `predeterminedv circuit condition to interrupt the circuit, said contacts being biased closed t'o' automatically close the-circuit after a circuitinte'rrupting operation, anactuating member adapted .to be vadvanced a predetermined amount during each separation and reclosure cycle of said contacts and to slowly return to a normal position, means positioned to be engaged and actuated by said member in response to predetermined advancement thereof for preventing reclosure of said contacts, manually operable means for' rendering said reclo'sure preventing means inoperative, to thereby permit reclosure of said contacts, said manually operable means adapted to occupy one position when said contacts are closed and being movable to a second position to cause opening of s aid contacts, and said manualiyoperable means beingiree of said contacts when at said one position so that said contacts may be separated by said electromagnetic [electroresponsive] means even when said manually operable means is heldat said one position,

9. In a circuit lnterrupter, separablecontacts,

electromagnetic means Ior 'iustdntaiieuslil Sepstatins mid' contacts in response' to.. a b'rcdetercircuit condition to interrupt the circuit.l

' also being movable to render said reclosure preventing mearls inoperative to thereby permit reclosure o't said contacts, and said manually operable means being inoperative to prevent separation of said contacts by said electromagnetic [electroresponsive] means even when said manually operable means is held at said one position.

10. vIn a circuit interrupter, separable contacts,l electromagnetic means for instantaneously separating said contacts in response to a predetermined circuit condition to interrupt the. circuit. said contacts being biased closed to automatically' close the circuit after a circuit interrupting operation, manually operable means movable from one position to another for causing separation -of said contacts, saidv manually -operable means being inoperative to prevent separation oi' said contacts by said condition responsive electromagnetic means even when said manually operable means is held at said oney position but preventing closing movement ofsaid contactsl when held'at s aid other position.

I1. The intefrupter 'of' claim 10 further chafacterized by said manually operable-means ncludiug a manually" engageable operating arm readily accessible from the exterior of the'thterrupter aud movable to said one position to release said contacts for biased movement to autom'atically close the circuit and movable to said other position to efect the application of c zfn opening force directly to said contacts, and v'including a trip-free connection whereby said arm on d, closing movement'can be freely moved manually without being subjected to any substantial resstance should said condition 'responsive electromagnetic means' be in the contemporaneous act of opening said contacts und whereby-on au` opening movement said arm is e'ective to maintain said contacts open out of control of said .condition responsive electromagnetic means.

- 12. The tht'errupt'er of `cl'aintl further o hdractertzed by the 'tnter'rupt'er having a` hoodedfen-f' closure and by. the' manual means including a lever arm plootally carried bil scid iuterrup'te'r and a handle' portion engageablerbz'/ the hook of a switch stick, and extending exte'riorly ofsaid interruptor into said hooded enclosure and having an actuating portion extending interioflu of said interrupter, connecting means between said actuating lportion of said lever arm and said 'contacts to prevent reclosure of said contacts whenever said handle portion of said lever arm is pulled downwardly out of said hooded enclosure, said connecting means being trllrfree with respect to said condition responsive electromagnetic means, said lever arm'being piootally displa'ceable to move said contacts toward closed position subject to overriding control of said conditiou responsive electromagnetic means upon pushing said handle portion upwardly into scid hooded enclosure.

13, The therrupter of claim 1 0 further characteraed by said manually operable man: ccmprising iournal means on said interruptor, a'lever arm pivotaily mounted in said journal means and having'a hood-enclosedhandle portion extending outwardly of the interrupter in an accessible position. said handle portion of said lever arm being adapted to engage the hook of a switch stick, said lever arm being selectively pivotally displaceable in .said journal means upon movina said handle portion between a shielded up posi'- tion and an exposed down position corresponding to saidl one position and said other position of said manually operable means, respectively, and a mechanical drivingconnection between said lever arm and said separable contacts, said lever farm being pivotally displaceable upon moving said handle portion to 4said down position to retain said contacts-in separated condition out of control of said condition responsive electromagnetic means, said driving connection being trip-free with respect to said condition responsive electromagnetic means, said lever arm being pivotally displaceable to move said contacts toiward closed position subject' to overriding con- CARL saidhandle t tuttiv wnmM'D. KYLE, Jn. i

REFERENCES CITED The following references Aare of record in the Number Name Date 508,652 Thomson Nov. 14, 1893v 689,929 Suxen Dec. 21, i 716,475 Read Dec. 23, 1 902 798,082 Eundh Aug. 29, 1905 1,307,848 Burnham June 24, 1919 1,604,669 Van Valkenburg Oct. 26, 1926 1,737,649 Edsall Dec. 3, 1929 1,805,082 Edsall May 12, 1931 2,053,944 Cooney Sept. 8, 1936 2,069,082 Walle Jan. 26, 1937 2,128,999 Frank et a1. Sept. v6, 1938 2,215,792 Jennings Sept. 24, 1940 2,268,229 Walle Dec. 30, 1941- 2,298,143 May Get. 6, 194:2-v

2,318,421 Rawlins et al. May 4, 1943 Kyle, Jr., et al. Jan. 18,1949 Y 

